This Honey Chipotle Sauce is one of my favorite ways to add a little kick to my meals. Easy to make with no cooking required, it’s great to prep ahead of time and works well as a dipping sauce, dressing, or marinade. I often make a large batch to keep in the fridge, using it with proteins like my chipotle salmon and roasted veggies throughout the week.
This honey chipotle sauce came together completely on a whim. I had been playing around with my chipotle peach salsa and had leftover chipotle peppers in adobo. Normally, I’d use them to make a pot of my chipotle chili, but with it being nearly 100°F outside, chili was definitely not happening!
Instead, I started playing around with a few ingredients I already had on hand, and this sauce was born. It’s funny how a leftover ingredient and a little experimenting can turn into a recipe you end up making again and again.
Ingredients and Notes
Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the complete ingredient list and instructions!
- Chipotle Pepper in Adobo Sauce – This forms the base of the sauce, giving it its signature smoky, spicy flavor. If you prefer less heat, use half a chipotle pepper and include mostly adobo sauce.
Ingredient Swap: If you can’t find chipotle peppers in adobo at the grocery store, you can easily make a substitute at home! In place of 1 tablespoon chopped chipotle peppers in adobo, combine 1 teaspoon tomato paste, 1 teaspoon avocado or olive oil, ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar, and ½ teaspoon chipotle powder.
No chipotle powder? Use ½ teaspoon smoked paprika plus a pinch of chili powder or cayenne instead.
- Honey – This sweetens the sauce, balancing some of the heat. Maple syrup works well, too.
- Olive oil or Avocado Oil – This creates a thinner sauce without impacting its flavor. If I don’t have avocado oil on hand, I use light olive oil instead.
- Garlic – I recommend using freshly minced garlic for the strongest taste, but garlic powder can be substituted.
- Lime Juice – Freshly squeezed is best! The acidity helps brighten the sauce, giving it a balanced, well-rounded flavor.
How to Make Honey Chipotle Sauce
- Combine ingredients. Whisk all the ingredients in a small bowl. Or, blend them in a small food processor or blender if you prefer a smoother consistency.
Tip: Adjust the consistency. For a thinner sauce, whisk in 1 to 2 teaspoons of water or additional lime juice. Or, for a thicker sauce, add a little more honey.
- Adjust. Give the sauce a quick taste test, and adjust the ingredients as needed. Depending on how I’m using the sauce, I add honey for more sweetness, lime juice for brightness, or adobo sauce for more smoky heat.
- Enjoy. Use the sauce right away, or store it for later.
Prefer a Thicker Glaze? Use My Stovetop Method!
Combining the ingredients on the stove allows the sauce to thicken without impacting the flavor. Here’s the method:
- Add all the ingredients to a small saucepan on the stove.
- Simmer over low heat, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens.
- Remove the pan from the heat, and set it aside to cool slightly.
How to Store
Once cool, leftover sauce can be transferred to an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Give it a quick shake or stir before using to redistribute the ingredients.
My Favorite Ways to Use
There are so many ways to use this chipotle honey sauce recipe! If you’re looking for inspiration:
- Brush it over baked, grilled, or air-fried salmon
- Use it as a glaze for chicken breasts, air fryer chicken thighs, or wings.
- Toss it with cooked shrimp for an easy taco filling.
- Brush it over pork tenderloin or pork chops. It’s great as an alternative glaze with my boneless glazed pork chops.
- Drizzle it over tacos, like my green chile turkey tacos, burrito bowls, or grain bowls, such as my savory quinoa breakfast bowl.
- Toss it with roasted sweet potatoes, cauliflower, carrots, or air fryer Brussels sprouts.
- Use it as a glaze for grilled corn.
- Mix it with mayonnaise or Greek-style yogurt to make a creamy dipping sauce.
- Serve it as a dip for almond flour chicken tenders, fries, or roasted potatoes.
More of Our Favorite
Gluten-Free Homemade Sauces
Honey Chipotle Sauce Recipe
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: ¼ cup (4 tablespoons) 1x
- Diet: Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Vegetarian
Description
This no-cook honey chipotle sauce is sweet, smoky, and spicy. Use it as a dipping sauce, dressing, marinade, or glaze for proteins and roasted veggies.
Ingredients
*This is enough to glaze about 1 pound of salmon, chicken, pork, or shrimp.
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, finely chopped (can or jar) with sauce (about 1–1.5 tbsp)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon avocado oil or light olive oil
- 1 small garlic clove, minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Add the finely chopped chipotle pepper and adobo sauce, honey, oil, garlic, lime juice, salt, and black pepper to a small bowl.
- Whisk until the ingredients are thoroughly combined and the sauce is smooth. Alternatively, blend the ingredients in a small food processor for a smoother consistency.
- Taste and adjust as needed, adding more honey for sweetness, lime juice for brightness, or adobo sauce for extra smoky heat.
- Use immediately, or transfer the sauce to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week. Stir well before using.
Optional stovetop method: For a thicker, more caramelized glaze, add the sauce to a small saucepan and simmer over low heat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly before using.
Notes
Chipotle substitutes: Replace 1 tablespoon chopped chipotle pepper in adobo with 1 tablespoon bottled chipotle hot sauce. For a homemade option, combine 1 teaspoon tomato paste, 1 teaspoon avocado or olive oil, ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar, and ½ teaspoon chipotle powder. If you don’t have chipotle powder, use ½ teaspoon smoked paprika plus a pinch of chili powder or cayenne.
Food safety: If using the sauce to brush raw meat or seafood, set aside a separate portion for serving before brushing.
Tips – For less heat: Use half a chipotle pepper and include mostly adobo sauce. For a thinner sauce: Whisk in 1 to 2 teaspoons of water or additional lime juice. For a thicker glaze: Gently simmer the sauce for a few minutes or add a little more honey.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: chipotle sauce, condiment, sauce, sauce for fish, sauce for meat, spicy sauce
- Method: no cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ¼ cup
- Calories: 51
- Sugar: 8.7 g
- Sodium: 155.6 mg
- Fat: 1.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 9.2 g
- Fiber: 0.1 g
- Protein: 0.1 g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
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